Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1932

In 1932, the state of Massachusetts saw a surge of babies being named after popular figures of the time. The most popular baby girl names were Mary, Barbara, and Joan, all of which were inspired by famous actresses and singers. Mary, which held the top spot, was also a popular name in religious circles and was often given to girls as a tribute to the Virgin Mary.

For baby boys, the top names were Robert, John, and Richard, all of which were classic and traditional names that had been popular for decades. Robert, the most popular name, was likely influenced by the famous actor Robert Montgomery, while John and Richard were popular due to their association with royalty and nobility. Overall, the names chosen for babies in Massachusetts in 1932 were a reflection of the cultural and societal trends of the time.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1932

According to records from 1932, the most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts were Mary, Barbara, Joan, Dorothy, and Patricia. Mary was the most common name with 1728 babies given this name. Barbara followed closely with 1656 babies named Barbara. Joan was the third most popular name with 1168 babies named Joan. Dorothy and Patricia were the fourth and fifth most popular names respectively, with 804 and 747 babies given these names.

Mary

1728 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Mary
Mary is a feminine given name that has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history. The meaning and origin of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious". The name Mary is popular in Christian cultures due to its association with the mother of Jesus Christ.
Barbara

1656 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Barbara
The name Barbara is of Greek origin, derived from the word "barbaros" which means foreign or strange. It was a popular name in the Middle Ages and was often given to girls born on St. Barbara's feast day. The name has been used in various cultures and languages around the world.
Joan

1168 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Joan
The name Joan is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a feminine name that was popularized in the Middle Ages and has been in use ever since. The name is often associated with strong and independent women, such as Joan of Arc.
Dorothy

804 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Patricia

747 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Patricia
The name Patricia is derived from the Latin word "patricius," meaning "noble" or "aristocratic." It was a popular name in the Roman Empire and later spread throughout Europe. The name is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, kindness, and leadership.
Jean
606 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Jean
The name Jean is a variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It is a gender-neutral name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Margaret
554 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Elizabeth
539 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Ann
528 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Ann
The name Ann is a variant of the name Anne, which is derived from the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning "grace" or "favor". The name has been popular throughout history and is often associated with strong and independent women.
Helen
516 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Helen
Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Nancy
506 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Shirley
456 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Shirley
The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.
Lorraine
444 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Lorraine
The name Lorraine is of French origin and is derived from the region of Lorraine in France. The meaning of the name is "from Lorraine" or "dweller of Lorraine".
Ruth
430 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Ruth
The name Ruth means "friend" or "companion" in Hebrew. It is also associated with the character Ruth in the Bible, who was known for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi.
Marilyn
406 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Marilyn
The name Marilyn is a combination of the names Mary and Lynn. The name Mary means "bitter" or "rebellious" in Hebrew, while Lynn means "lake" or "waterfall" in English. Therefore, the name Marilyn could be interpreted as "bitter lake" or "rebellious waterfall".
Claire
403 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Claire
The name Claire is of French origin and means "clear" or "bright". It is derived from the Latin word "clarus". The name is often associated with a person who is intelligent, kind, and honest.
Doris
355 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.
Eleanor
346 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Eleanor
The name Eleanor means "bright, shining one" or "compassionate" and is of Old French and Greek origin. It was originally derived from the name Aliénor, which was the Old French form of the name Helen.
Virginia
346 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Virginia
The name Virginia is derived from the Latin word "Virgo" which means "maiden" or "virgin". It was a popular name in ancient Rome and was often given to girls who were born in the month of August. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century and is associated with purity, innocence, and virtue.
Marie
344 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1932) named Marie
The name Marie is the French variant of Mary, which means "bitter" in Hebrew. It is a popular name among Christians and has been used for centuries. The name is often associated with purity, grace, and elegance.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1932

In Massachusetts in 1932, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, Richard, William, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 2689 babies named Robert, followed by John with 2408 babies named John. Richard came in third with 1719 babies named Richard, followed by William with 1543 babies named William. James rounded out the top five with 1182 babies named James.

Robert

2689 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named Robert
The name Robert means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobility.
John

2408 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named John
The name John is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a very common name and has been used for centuries. People with this name are often known for their kindness and generosity.
Richard

1719 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

1543 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named William
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
James

1182 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Joseph
1177 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Donald
1053 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
George
908 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named George
The name George means "farmer" or "earthworker" and is of Greek origin. It was a popular name among early Christians, as Saint George is the patron saint of England and a martyr in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches. The name has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England.
Edward
860 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named Edward
The name Edward means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard" and is of Old English origin. It is derived from the words "ead" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "weard" meaning "guardian, protector".
Charles
832 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named Charles
The name Charles means "free man" or "strong man" and is of Germanic origin. It was a popular name among European royalty and has been commonly used throughout history.
Paul
754 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named Paul
The name Paul is of Latin origin and means "small" or "humble". It was originally derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was a common name in ancient Rome. The name has been popularized by various saints and biblical figures, including the apostle Paul, who was a significant figure in the early Christian church.
Thomas
632 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named Thomas
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
Francis
551 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named Francis
The name Francis is derived from the Latin name Franciscus, which means "Frenchman" or "free man". It has been a popular name throughout history, particularly among Christians due to its association with Saint Francis of Assisi. The name is often associated with humility, kindness, and a love for nature and animals.
David
514 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named David
The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved" or "friend". It is a popular name in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and is known for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to God. People with the name David are often described as confident, charismatic, and loyal.
Ronald
396 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Raymond
393 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Arthur
383 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named Arthur
The name Arthur is of Celtic origin and means "bear". It was a popular name among the kings and nobles of medieval England, and has since become a classic name that is still in use today.
Frank
370 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Walter
327 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Kenneth
290 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1932) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".